UK Military Chief Warns Britain Must Prepare Society for Threat From Russia as NATO Calls for Greater Readiness
LONDON In one of the most direct public interventions by a senior defence figure in recent years, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff, has warned that the growing military capability of Russia requires not just stronger armed forces but a “whole of society” approach to national defence. His comments, delivered at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), mark a clear shift in tone from traditional British military messaging toward broader societal readiness.
More dangerous than I have known
Sir Richard told the audience that the current security environment was “more dangerous than I have known during my career” and warned that defence preparations must extend beyond the armed forces to include the wider British public. He said national resilience, defence industrial capacity and the involvement of civilian institutions such as universities, industry, transport networks and the NHS would all be critical in any serious confrontation.
Our response needs to go beyond simply strengthening our armed forces. It means our whole nation stepping up, Sir Richard said, adding that people who are not serving in uniform would still need to contribute to national defence by supporting innovation, skills and resilience.
NATO warnings intensify
The warning from the UK military chief comes amid growing concern within NATO about Russia’s long-term intentions. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could pose a direct military threat to a NATO country within five years if the alliance does not strengthen its deterrence and defence posture.
NATO leaders have repeatedly stressed that deterrence now depends not only on troop numbers but also on industrial capacity, logistics, ammunition production and the ability to sustain prolonged conflict. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has demonstrated the scale of production required for high-intensity warfare.
Whole-of-society defence
Sir Richard’s remarks reflect a growing consensus among Western defence planners that modern warfare blurs the line between civilian and military domains. Cyber attacks, disinformation, infrastructure sabotage and economic pressure all form part of what NATO describes as hybrid warfare.
Deterrence is also about our resilience to these threats, Sir Richard said. It is about how we harness all our national power and ensure the infrastructure that supports daily life can withstand disruption.
France and Germany move in similar direction
The UK is not alone in shifting its defence messaging. In France, senior military leaders have sparked intense debate after warning that the country must be prepared for significant sacrifice in the event of a conflict with Russia. While controversial, the comments reflected a broader push in Paris to prepare society psychologically and industrially for potential high-intensity conflict.
Germany has also adopted a more explicit tone. Senior German defence officials have warned that Russia may be preparing for a wider confrontation with NATO and have called for increased defence spending, faster procurement and greater public awareness of security risks. Discussions about forms of national service and civil defence preparedness have also resurfaced.
Industrial capacity and armament production
A central theme in NATO discussions is the need to expand defence industrial production. Officials have warned that current manufacturing capacity for ammunition, armoured vehicles and air defence systems is insufficient for sustained conflict.
NATO leaders argue that industrial readiness is now as important as military readiness. That includes secure supply chains, skilled workforces and closer cooperation between governments and private industry.
UK defence context
The comments come as the UK continues to review its defence posture following the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. The review highlighted the need to modernise forces, invest in new technology and improve readiness across domains including cyber, space and intelligence.
However, defence analysts have raised concerns about gaps in capability, recruitment challenges and the pace of procurement. The push for broader societal involvement reflects an acknowledgement that military power alone is not sufficient in the current security environment.
Deterrence, not provocation
UK and NATO officials have stressed that these preparations are intended to deter conflict rather than provoke it. Sir Richard emphasised that the goal of readiness is to prevent war by demonstrating credible capability and resilience.
Security officials have also warned that much of the threat landscape remains below the threshold of open conflict, including cyber operations, disinformation campaigns and economic coercion. These challenges further reinforce the argument for whole-of-society preparedness.
Conclusion
The UK’s most senior military officer has delivered a stark message. The threat posed by Russia requires not only military strength but societal resilience. From industrial capacity and technological innovation to public awareness and infrastructure protection, defence is increasingly viewed as a national responsibility rather than a purely military one.
As NATO pushes for higher readiness and greater production, Britain’s call for whole-of-society preparation reflects a broader European shift toward acknowledging the realities of modern conflict.
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Date: 16 December 2025 | By: Fidelis News Staff
